Environmental Studies and Forestry

Deploying solar photovoltaic energy first in carbon-intensive regions brings gigatons more carbon mitigations to 2060

S. Chen, X. Lu, et al.

Discover groundbreaking insights into the solar photovoltaic industry's impact on greenhouse gas mitigation from 2009 to 2060, revealing a staggering potential of 204.7 Gt CO2-equivalent reduction through optimized manufacturing and installations in carbon-intensive countries. This pivotal research, conducted by Shi Chen, Xi Lu, Chris P. Nielsen, Michael B. McElroy, Gang He, Shaohui Zhang, Kebin He, Xiu Yang, Fang Zhang, and Jiming Hao, emphasizes the importance of international coordination for maximizing GHG mitigation.... show more

Abstract

The global surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) power has featured spatial specialization from manufacturing to installation along its industrial chain. Yet how to improve PV climate benefits are under-investigated. Here we explore the evolution of net greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation of PV industry from 2009–2060 with a spatialized-dynamic life-cycle-analysis. Results suggest a net GHG mitigation of 1.29 Gt CO2-equivalent from 2009–2019, achieved by 1.97 Gt of mitigation from installation minus 0.68 Gt of emissions from manufacturing. The highest net GHG mitigation among future manufacturing-installation-scenarios to meet 40% global power demand in 2060 is as high as 204.7 Gt from 2020–2060, featuring manufacturing concentrated in Europe and North America and prioritized PV installations in carbon-intensive nations. This represents 97.5 Gt more net mitigation than the worst-case scenario, equivalent to 1.9 times 2020 global GHG emissions. The results call for strategic international coordination of PV industrial chain to increase GHG net mitigation.

Publisher

Communications Earth & Environment

Published On

Oct 11, 2023

Authors

Shi Chen, Xi Lu, Chris P. Nielsen, Michael B. McElroy, Gang He, Shaohui Zhang, Kebin He, Xiu Yang, Fang Zhang, Jiming Hao

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01006-x

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